The Dandenong Youth Gang Team has seized more than 400 prohibited weapons, including samurai swords, zombie knives and butterfly knives, following raids in Melbourne's southeast, as part of Operation Alliance.
Raids at two shops and a factory were the culmination of an investigation into the alleged sale of weapons including knives and machetes to local youth gang members.
Following extensive enquires, police executed simultaneous searches at two shops in Vesper Drive, Narre Warren and Dorset Road, Boronia, from about 10am on Wednesday 25 October.
A subsequent search was also conducted at a factory on Marni Drive, Dandenong South.
During the searches, police seized:
• 402 prohibited weapons, including three imitation handguns, butterfly knives, zombie knives, axes, miniature samurai swords, daggers, flick knives, and knuckle dusters
• 111 cartons of illegal cigarettes and approximately 2kg of dried loose-leaf tobacco
• Quantities of methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication
• 17,525 vapes - some containing nicotine - worth $461,000
• Laser pointers
A 52-year-old Cranbourne North man was arrested at the shop in Narre Warren, before being released pending further enquiries, but is expected to be charged with offences such as sell prohibited weapons to person without authority; possess, carry, use prohibited weapon without approval or exemption; and purchase prohibited weapon without an authority.
A second man, aged 34 from Narre Warren North, was arrested at the factory, however, was also released pending further investigations.
This week's warrants were part of Victoria Police's ongoing operation targeting youth gangs - Operation Alliance.
Operation Alliance has led to 440 youth gang members being arrested a combined 1,630 times over the past year.
Since Alliance was formed in September 2020, Victoria Police has reduced the number of known youth gang members in Victoria from 747 to 598.
However, a core group of recidivist offenders remain an ongoing challenge for Victoria Police - 84 gang members have been arrested more than ten times over the past year.
The seizure of illicit tobacco in this operation also highlights Victoria Police's commitment to targeting this criminality under Taskforce Lunar.
As enquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Dandenong Youth Gang Team Senior Sergeant Josh Milligan:
"We know the harm that illegal weapons can cause in our community, especially when they're in the hands of young people.
"Victoria Police is looking at the carriage and sale of weapons in a number of different ways, through OMNI operations - which allow us to search for weapons - as well as warrants on known youth gang members as part of Operation Alliance, and engagement with retailers to remind them of their responsibility of the sale of weapons, particularly to youths.
"It is an offence to possess, carry or use a prohibited or controlled weapon without an exemption. The maximum penalty is a $46,000 fine or two years behind bars.
"There is no place in our community for adults who prey on, or take advantage of, local youth, by equipping them with weapons that will ultimately lead to further crime."
